Best way to redeem/spend Airmiles (air miles)

[HappyGoLucky]

Hi there!

(The bracket above for those doing a search with different spellings)

Anyhow, if you have say 7000 Airmiles (the kind you get with BMO Mosaic), what is the best way to redeem them to get the most bang for your buck?

For example, it seems like redeeming for electronics or vacations may not be the best choice. However, I think I saw A&P lets you redeem 140 airmiles for $20, so that's 7 airmiles for every dollar, so 7000 airmiles gets $1000.

Is there a better "ratio" than the above 7:1?

I know A&P may be a bit overpriced sometimes and erode the ratio per se, but let's exclude that factor for now.

Thanks!

[carwel]

I believe you can redeem for a Toronto Zoo admission (worth about $20) for 85 air miles.

[Caatnap]

I've been using mine up with $20 Shell gas certificates for 175 airmiles. Not quite as good as the A&P deal but it sure feels good at the pumps!

[brunes]

Hi there!

(The bracket above for those doing a search with different spellings)

Anyhow, if you have say 7000 Airmiles (the kind you get with BMO Mosaic), what is the best way to redeem them to get the most bang for your buck?

For example, it seems like redeeming for electronics or vacations may not be the best choice. However, I think I saw A&P lets you redeem 140 airmiles for $20, so that's 7 airmiles for every dollar, so 7000 airmiles gets $1000.

Is there a better "ratio" than the above 7:1?

I know A&P may be a bit overpriced sometimes and erode the ratio per se, but let's exclude that factor for now.

Thanks!

The best rate is to upgrade to BMO Gold and redeem for flights on WestJet.

IE, 7000 Am will get you 4 round trip flights anywhere WestJet flys (plus extra). This is worth minimum $3000 if you redeem for some longer-haul flights.

[HappyGoLucky]

Thanks for all the ideas from everyone so far!

The best rate is to upgrade to BMO Gold and redeem for flights on WestJet.

IE, 7000 Am will get you 4 round trip flights anywhere WestJet flys (plus extra). This is worth minimum $3000 if you redeem for some longer-haul flights.

If upgrading to BMO gold, are there any costs associated with this? I presume this will simply replace the existing BMO Mosaic card? Also, all the Airmiles (I assume regardless of where earned) could be "converted" and used as WestJet miles with this card?

Sorry for all the questions, but thanks in advance!

[marcR]

Thanks for all the ideas from everyone so far!



If upgrading to BMO gold, are there any costs associated with this? I presume this will simply replace the existing BMO Mosaic card? Also, all the Airmiles (I assume regardless of where earned) could be "converted" and used as WestJet miles with this card?

Sorry for all the questions, but thanks in advance!

It's $90 a year for the AM gold Mosaic MC. I also pay $15 for a secondary card for my wife. My airmiles prevous to my Gold BMO card counted so I can't see why you wouldn't be able to use all of yours.

You get:

* 1 reward mile for every $15 in card purchasesB1 plus 150 Bonus reward miles with your first card purchase
* Receive an annual discount up to $70 toward the BMO Bank of Montreal Everyday Banking Plan of your choice
* Fly WestJet for no more than 1,600 AIR MILES reward miles
* Book flights at westjet.com and get double AIR MILES reward miles and earn companion flights
* National Car Rental benefits include double AIR MILES reward miles, FREE Emerald Club Membership ($75 value) & 15% discounts off rentals

[mlangill]

The best rate is to upgrade to BMO Gold and redeem for flights on WestJet.

IE, 7000 Am will get you 4 round trip flights anywhere WestJet flys (plus extra). This is worth minimum $3000 if you redeem for some longer-haul flights.

I will second this recommendation. I fly Vancouver to Moncton, NB at least once a year with my wife using the Gold Mosaic Card and air miles. Depending on time of year and flight prices it saves me ~$800 for only 1400-1600 air miles. That is a ratio of 0.5. When I buy groceries at Safeway I can usually get 100 airmiles for every $100 spent so that is like getting an extra 50% off my groceries!

Also, once you sign up you can use the air miles that you collected from before (my brother did this and actually canceled the card about a year later)

[halflife150]

Flights are always the best redemption for flight reward cards. The second best would be tickets to events. Electronics tend to be some of the worst.

[hdancey]

It's $90 a year for the AM gold Mosaic MC. I also pay $15 for a secondary card for my wife. My airmiles prevous to my Gold BMO card counted so I can't see why you wouldn't be able to use all of yours.

You get:

* 1 reward mile for every $15 in card purchasesB1 plus 150 Bonus reward miles with your first card purchase
* Receive an annual discount up to $70 toward the BMO Bank of Montreal Everyday Banking Plan of your choice
* Fly WestJet for no more than 1,600 AIR MILES reward miles
* Book flights at westjet.com and get double AIR MILES reward miles and earn companion flights
* National Car Rental benefits include double AIR MILES reward miles, FREE Emerald Club Membership ($75 value) & 15% discounts off rentals

Wow. That is very interesting. I don't think BMO/AM advertises this well -- these are pretty good benefits, especially the 1600 max on flight rewards. Thanks for letting me know.

[HappyGoLucky]

Excellent information from everyone -- thanks! Feel free to post any more tips regarding collecting and/or redeeming AirMiles. Too bad we don't have a Safeway here in Toronto!

[faken]

* Fly WestJet for no more than 1,600 AIR MILES reward miles

That's good to know! I have the Mosiac Silver Card. I pay $35 annual fee.. and I get 1 AM for every $20 spent. But I don't get the luxury of having that airmiles cap. I'm going to get that card after my card expires..

Just curious will this affect my credit score if I apply for the BMO Gold card and cancel the Mosiac Silver one?

[Octavius]

I've been using mine up with $20 Shell gas certificates for 175 airmiles. Not quite as good as the A&P deal but it sure feels good at the pumps!

+1

I've got about $100.00 worth of free gas so far from doing this. I don't use the Air Miles for anything else.

[quanvon]

Just curious will this affect my credit score if I apply for the BMO Gold card and cancel the Mosiac Silver one?

yup! anytime you apply for a new card, a credit check is done (thus a hit to your credit rating). Not sure why they can't just switch your c/c options instead of making you close out your existing and applying for a new card!!!

btw, you should ask them if you can get your annual fee prorated for your existing card as all you're really doing is switching card options. This way you don't have to wait until your card expires to change cards.

[dealstime]

Don't redeem on popcorn gift card. (Forgot the company name). Every time I go to buy it their machine is broken.

[FiNaL WaR]

yup! anytime you apply for a new card, a credit check is done (thus a hit to your credit rating). Not sure why they can't just switch your c/c options instead of making you close out your existing and applying for a new card!!!

btw, you should ask them if you can get your annual fee prorated for your existing card as all you're really doing is switching card options. This way you don't have to wait until your card expires to change cards.

you can upgrade on their website they will refound u the rest of ur 35$ and will charge u for the whole year...